Should I be getting flu shot, too?

[wonky]

My husband is considered in the “high risk” category and gets a flu shot every year.

I have never gotten a flu shot.

I’ve seen it recommended that I get one, too, since he’s at risk, but I’m not sure what the basis is for that recommendation. I’ve never had a doctor suggest I get one.

So, generally speaking, if I’m in good health and live with someone who is high risk, should I be getting a flu shot at the same time he does?

[KlondikeGeoff]

Why not? Have you been evaluated as to your risk factor, or just assuming? Anybody can get it.

In any case, it is quick and easy (as long as hubby is going anyway), so why not be protected?

I can assure you, flu is no fun a’tall, and while the shot may hurt sligjhtly for a day, it’s nothing to what the sickness can cause.

[Qadgop_the_Mercotan]

I don’t push it real hard these days for my otherwise healthy patients, as the long-term risk vs benefit ratio isn’t really clearly tilted in the favor of benefits as far as we know. But I would not discourage anyone from wanting one to get one even if they are without risk factors.

But I do recommend it for those with chronic diseases (especially respiratory diseases), the elderly, health-care workers, and those living in crowded conditions (like prisons).

As does the CDC. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-flu.pdf

People 6 months of age and older can receive inactivated influenza vaccine. It is recommended for anyone who is at risk of complications from influenza or more likely to require medical care:
• All children from 6 months up to 5 years of age.
• Anyone 50 years of age or older.
• Anyone 6 months to 18 years of age on long-term aspirin treatment (they could develop Reye Syndrome if they got influenza).
•Women who will be pregnant during influenza season.
• Anyone with long-term health problems with:

• heart disease - kidney disease
• lung disease - metabolic disease, such as diabetes
• asthma - anemia, and other blood disorders
  • Anyone with a weakened immune system due to:
• HIV/AIDS or other diseases affecting the immune system
• long-term treatment with drugs such as steroids
• cancer treatment with x-rays or drugs
  • Anyone with certain muscle or nerve disorders (such as seizure disorders or severe cerebral palsy) that can lead to breathing or swallowing problems.
  • Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities.

Influenza vaccine is also recommended for anyone who lives with or cares for people at high risk for influenzarelated complications:
• Health care providers.
• Household contacts and caregivers of children from birth up to 5 years of age.
• Household contacts and caregivers of people 50 years and older, and those with medical conditions that put them at higher risk for severe complications from influenza.

A yearly influenza vaccination should be considered for:
• People who provide essential community services.
• People living in dormitories or under other crowded conditions, to prevent outbreaks.
• People at high risk of influenza complications who travel to the Southern hemisphere between April and September, or to the tropics or in organized tourist groups at any time.

Influenza vaccine is also recommended for anyone who wants to reduce the likelihood of becoming ill with influenza or spreading influenza to others.

[wonky]

@Qadgop the Mercotan

But I do recommend it for those with chronic diseases (especially respiratory diseases), the elderly, health-care workers, and those living in crowded conditions (like prisons).

Do I increase the risk for someone in one of these groups by not getting a shot?

[Qadgop_the_Mercotan]

@jsgoddess

Do I increase the risk for someone in one of these groups by not getting a shot?

Maybe a little bit.

If they got the shot, they should be protected. Or at least as protected as possible. The vaccine is not 100%, and depends on a lot of factors, including whether the strain going around is one of the ones in the vaccine. You could expose them to your flu virus before their vaccine has become fully effective. But that’s a little bit of a stretch.

If they didn’t get the shot, then you, if you are around them, increase their risk of exposure to the influenza virus.

But the shot would be more directed at protecting you, rather than protecting those around you.

If you are a caretaker of others, ask yourself: How will things go for them if you are incapacitated for a week by the flu? If someone else can pick up the slack, not so much of a problem. If not, well…

[wonky]

@Qadgop the Mercotan

If they didn’t get the shot, then you, if you are around them, increase their risk of exposure to the influenza virus.

But the shot would be more directed at protecting you, rather than protecting those around you.

Got it. Thanks.

Getting my husband a shot is normally pretty easy. Getting one for me has been harder (we live in the boonies) so we’ve never bothered. I’ve been lucky enough not to get the flu for years.